Definition
A charted visual flight procedure (CVFP) is a published visual approach to a runway at certain towered airports, used by IFR aircraft when weather is at or above prescribed minimums (typically a ceiling of at least 500 feet above the minimum vectoring altitude and visibility of 3 statute miles or more). The chart depicts prominent visual landmarks, recommended altitudes, courses, and reporting points to help pilots fly a consistent, noise-sensitive, or terrain-conscious path to the runway while maintaining visual contact with the ground or the preceding aircraft.
Plain English
A printed chart that guides you through a visual approach into a busy airport using easy-to-spot landmarks, suggested altitudes, and a defined path — used when the weather is good enough to see where you're going.
Context Anchor
Seen on FAA approach charts and in instrument procedure training when discussing visual procedures that have a published route instead of being left entirely to pilot judgment.
Derivation
Charted means depicted on a published chart; visual means flown by reference to the ground rather than instruments alone; procedure means a defined sequence of steps. The term simply names what it is: a visual approach that has been formally charted.
Why Pilots Care
Gives pilots a safe, repeatable path that reduces controller workload and helps meet noise or traffic restrictions during visual approaches.
Intuition Check
“Visual” does not mean casual or improvised here. In a CVFP, the flying is visual because you use outside references, but the route itself is still published, charted, and assigned by air traffic control.
Example Sentence 1
Approaching LaGuardia in clear weather, the crew was cleared for the Expressway Visual Runway 31, a CVFP that follows the Long Island Expressway to the airport.
Example Sentence 2
ATC assigned the CVFP to keep arriving traffic clear of the nearby military training area.